W or L

Win or lose, once you become a Cubs fan you are always a Cubs fan. I grew up in the area of Illinois that is not Chicago. Somewhere in the bottom 1/3 of the state which is approximately 350 miles from Chicago and the Cubs. That area is closer to St. Louis and the Cardinals. Hence the great rivalry in the great State of Illinois between Cubs fans and Cardinals fans. I never really cared much either way, but when Matt and I started dating (nearly a decade ago!) I decided it was funny to be a Cardinals fan while he was such a big Cubs fan. Then we moved to the Chicago area. Then I went to my first game at Wrigley Field. Ok. Now I'm a Cubs fan.

Sunday we got to go see the Cubs take on the San Francisco Giants. A couple good friends game up from the middle 1/3 of the state (Illinois really is not only Chicago. It is hundreds of miles long filled with rivers, lakes, cornfields, and a National Forest). We had a fantastic time eating hot dogs and nachos and watching the Cubs (who unfortunately lost).

Ok, enough with the baseball. Here's the knitting.

Yesterday was spent watching the extended versions of the Lord of the Rings and the Two Towers (ran out of time for the Return of the King) and knitting my Widdershins in Hill Country Yarns Sweet Feet Self-Striping Honey Butter. These are flying off the needles! This yarn is a little splitty and unfortunately not superwash, but it is silky soft (merino wool).

This is my second attempt at toe-up. My first attempt was frogged as I could not get the hang of the short-row heel (stupid holes). I'm not a big fan of the short-row heel anyway. The traditional heel flap just seems to fit better and it provides that extra cushion and durability. Well, Widdershins is a toe-up pattern with a heel flap! Hooray! I like this pattern a lot and it will save me some grief since I will know I won't run out of yarn at the toe (like I did with a certain pair of socks). The reverse heel flap was very simple to do and I only got one tiny hole which I think washing and blocking will take care of anyway. I kind of went crazy knitting these rather long, but it was fun to maximize the yarn with no fear of running out. I added a few increases as I continued up the leg, but otherwise I followed the pattern.